President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, renowned Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, and former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Professor Isa Ali Pantami have paid glowing tributes following the death of Malami Nafiu Baba-Ahmed, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN).
Baba-Ahmed, an Islamic scholar, administrator, and legal practitioner, passed away in the early hours of Tuesday. His funeral prayer is scheduled to hold at the National Mosque in Abuja immediately after the Zuhr prayers on the same day.
Tributes have poured in from religious and political leaders who described the late scholar as a dedicated advocate of justice, unity, and peaceful coexistence who devoted decades of his life to the service of Islam and humanity.
In a post on his verified Facebook page, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi confirmed the death, describing Baba-Ahmed as a bridge-builder who always saw the bigger picture.
“Mal. Nafiyu Baba Ahmad has left us in grief,” Gumi wrote. “Nafiyu will be remembered as a bridge-builder who always saw the bigger picture.”
He extended his condolences to the deceased’s family, relatives, the Muslim Ummah, and the nation.
Professor Isa Ali Pantami, the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State, also expressed deep sorrow in a Facebook statement. He noted that Baba-Ahmed had dedicated the last 26 years of his life to the service of Islam and humanity, consistently advocating justice for all.
“With heavy hearts but with total submission to the will of Allah, we mourn the passing of Mallam Nafiu Baba-Ahmed, Esq., who served as the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN),” Pantami said.
President Tinubu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the late Baba-Ahmed as an impactful leader who steered the affairs of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria with wisdom, foresight, and a deep commitment to unity, justice, and peaceful coexistence.
The President recalled his long association with Baba-Ahmed, particularly during the build-up to the 2011 elections and the deceased’s counsel and support throughout the 2023 presidential campaign. He said Mallam Baba-Ahmed played a pivotal role in sustaining the Council’s voice on national issues, fostering greater understanding, and promoting moral renewal and social justice.
Tinubu extended his condolences to the President and members of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, the Baba-Ahmed family, the Government and people of Kaduna State, and the entire Nigerian Muslim Ummah. He prayed that Almighty Allah forgives the late scholar’s shortcomings, admits him into Jannatul Firdaus, and grants his family and the Muslim community the fortitude to bear the loss.
